Residents asked for views on the council’s savings plans

Leader of the council, Allen Brett

Rochdale Borough Council is now consulting residents on the latest round of savings proposals which are required to balance the authority’s budget due to a continuing shortfall in government funding, the ongoing costs of the pandemic and increased demand for services.

The council has already had to reduce its budget by £184 million over the last 11 years.

The first three proposals include changing and increasing the charges for some adult care services, reviewing the work of the neighbourhood cohesion and community engagement service as well as reviewing the Rochdale town centre warden enforcement service.

Council leader Allen Brett said: “We continue to face a huge financial challenge and difficult choices, made harder by the impact of coronavirus and significant government cuts. Our budget is much less than it was a decade ago, so clearly we have a lot less to spend.

“Many savings are being made without impacting front-line services but while we continue working hard to identify savings that have the least impact on our residents, we have no option but to set a balanced budget.

“These are not decisions we want to make following years of cuts, but we have to make them to make sure the council is still here to provide the essential help and support, so please do take part in this consultation, give feedback and tell us what is important to you.”

Details of the proposals are at www.rochdale.gov.uk/savings where you can also give your views and find out other ways you can help the council save money.

If you’re unable to access the proposals online you can get copies of the reports and leave your feedback in writing at Number One Riverside in Rochdale.

Residents have from now until 17 February 2021 to give their views. Once feedback has been received, final decisions are due to be made at a full council meeting on 3 March.